Method and system for processing of data related to insurance

ABSTRACT

This invention relates generally to a computer system and method for integrating insurance policy underwriting. In one aspect it integrates the older legacy insurance policy generating systems to on line systems where users access the system through browsers. The computer system to perform the process of underwriting, rating, quoting, binding, and booking an insurance policy includes browsers, data bases, processors and a dispatcher that parses the information to select an insurance process. Suitable software programs review messages received from users to determine if certain messages are less than a prescribed limit. If a message is greater than the limit, then the message is parsed into a header information and one or more data fields whereby the header information is provided to a legacy processor and to policy generation software for further creation of policy related information and documentation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/025,548 entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FORCOMPUTERIZED INSURANCE UNDERWRITING, filed Dec. 28, 2004, whichapplication claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/533,753 filed Dec. 30, 2003, the entire contents ofall of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to computer-based insurance processingand more specifically to integrating a legacy insurance policyunderwriting process to a real-time on-line process.

2. Description of the Related Art

With regard to the insurance industry, records regarding issuedpolicies, premiums, payments and payouts must be maintained for extendedperiods of time. The insurance industry readily embraced computer andcomputer technology for the storage of their records and files anddeveloped special purpose software systems that are suitable for themaintenance and storage of the insurance files.

As computer technology and computer software changes, the insuranceindustry is pressed to update and upgrade their equipment andfacilities. For example, the current computerized process forunderwriting an insurance policy is a textual-based system that isburdensome and not user-friendly. The process requires that theunderwriting agent prepare forms using manual tabulation of data and, incases, requires specialized knowledge with regard to translatinghuman-readable information into computer-readable codes. This istime-consuming and labor-intensive. However, there is hesitation toupgrade current existing software, i.e., legacy processor and associatedsoftware, as there is a significant cost in time, labor and expense intransitioning existing legacy-software-based files to newer software.

Hence, there is a need for a method and system that is nottime-consuming, burdensome and labor-intensive that affords anunderwriting agent the ability to process the factors that underwrite aninsurance policy while providing proper interface with existinglegacy-based files.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to computer-based insurance processingand more specifically to integrating the insurance policy underwritingprocesses. In one aspect of the invention a computer system to performthe process of underwriting, rating, quoting, binding, and booking aninsurance policy comprises one or more browsers operative to communicateassociated information to a dispatcher that parses the information toselect an insurance process and an output device to produce theinsurance product. A server having suitable software reviews the messagereceived from a browser and determines whether the message length isgreater than a predetermined limit, and if the message is less than thelimit, then input data is provided to a first input queue and input to adispatcher means for subsequent processing. The system further includesthe feature whereby if the message is greater than the predeterminedlimit, then the message is parsed into a header information and one ormore data fields information and the header information is provided tofirst input queue and the data information is provided to a second inputqueue and the dispatcher means and the data information is provided to alegacy processor and associated software system. In one aspect of theinvention, the information in the data field is parsed into multiplerecords of a predetermined size, preferably 16 kilobytes. Followingcompletion of the processing the results are provided to a user-assigneddata queue and subsequently to the server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed descriptionwhen read in connection with the accompanying drawings. The variousfeatures of the drawings are not specified exhaustively. On thecontrary, the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reducedfor clarity. Included in the drawing are the following figures:

Other aspects, advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome more apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a process flow of an underwriting system inaccordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a second block diagram of an exemplary process flow of anunderwriting system in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of the structure of the underwritingsystem shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 illustrates a state diagram of the exemplary structure shown inFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a second aspect of the systemshown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of another aspect of the system shownin

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary format for exchanging information inaccordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a state diagram of an exemplary processing inaccordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary process associated withthe operation and communication with e-file database in accordance withthe principles of the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary process associated with parsing of anInquiry command in accordance with the principles of the invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary process for establishing accountinformation in accordance with the principles of the invention; and

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary graphic interface in accordance withthe principles of the invention.

It is to be understood that these drawings are solely for purposes ofillustrating the concepts of the invention and are not intended as adefinition of the limits of the invention. The embodiments shown in thefigures herein and described in the accompanying detailed descriptionare to be used as illustrative embodiments and should not be construedas the only manner of practicing the invention. Also, the same referencenumerals, possibly supplemented with reference characters whereappropriate, have been used to identify similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the figures to be discussed, the circuits and associated blocks andarrows represent functions of the process according to the presentinvention, which may be implemented as electrical circuits andassociated wires or data busses, which transport electrical signals.Alternatively, one or more associated arrows may represent communication(e.g., data flow) between software routines, particularly when thepresent method or apparatus of the present invention is a digitalprocess.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 for an integratedmethod of insurance underwriting in accordance with the principles ofthe invention. In this system, one or more users 105 employ a browserapparatus 110 having browser software 113 that operates in associationwith a web/application server 120 via processor 112 and network 115.Network 115, as would be recognized by those skilled in the art, may bea local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or a publicnetwork, such as the INTERNET or conventional telephone network that mayinclude hardware interfaces and input and output devices as by way ofexample: facsimile machines, document scanners, printers, copiers andhandheld communication devices that receive and send information fromand to the processes of the present invention and produce insurancepolicies, insurance statements and bills. Web/app server 120 is also incommunication with a system 130 containing data queues 132, intermediarydata queues 240 to retain processing results, an output data queue 134to retain the output from a legacy system, input from a table lookupdata base 510 (to be further described in FIG. 5) and a dispatchermodule 136 which parses information received from the browser todetermine which insurance process to call to service the browserrequest. Although not shown, it would be appreciated that web/app server120 may be in communication with system 130 via a network similar to ordifferent from that of network 115.

System 130 is further in communication with system 140 comprised oflegacy process and associated software module 142 that is suitable forcommunicating with a legacy database 144 for the storage and/orretrieval of desired data or information items. One skilled in the artwould appreciate that system 140 may be external to system 130 and,thus, system 130 and legacy system software 142 may be in communicationvia a network similar to or different from that of network 115.

Database system 150, comprised of a database referred to herein as“e-file” database 152 and server 154 is further in communication withnetwork 115. Those skilled in the art of programming will appreciatethat the database system 150 may optionally connect directly to theserver 112 as described in FIG. 2; the connection being a design choice.The operation of the database 150 is more fully disclosed in FIG. 9although in general it contains quote letters, binding letters, or issueletters that may be preformed using the available features of the wordprocessing program and desired information associated with eachinsurance account.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of the system 130. As noted withregard to FIG. 1, web/app server 120 provides information based uponinput received from one or more users 105 ₁ through 105 _(n) employingone or more browsers 110 ₁ through 110 _(n) operating in associationwith processor 112 though the network 115 to an input data queue 132.The information stored in data queue 132 is then provided to thedispatcher 136, which parses the information to determine which specificinsurance process 210A₁ through 210A_(n) is associated with theinformation. In one embodiment, each process is related to one or moredifferent insurance products 210B₁ through 210B_(n) that may beavailable to the public (life, property and casualty) or custom designedproducts for doctors, lawyers or other professions or organizationsrequiring a particular kind of insurance.

Processing results 210A₁ through 210A_(n) are stored in one of aplurality of intermediary data queues 240 ₁-240 _(n). Each product 210B₁through 210B_(n) stores the results of its processing in an associateddata interim database 210C₁ through 210C_(n) respectively. Intermediarydata queues 240 ₁ through 240 _(n) retain processing results based on auser 105 ₁ through user 105 _(n) identification. Web/app server 120, inreceiving product processing 210A₁ through 210A_(n) results from theintermediary data queues 240 ₁ through 240 _(n) transmits the results tothe appropriate browser 110 ₁ through 110 _(n). Although intermediarydata queues 240 ₁ through 240 _(n) are shown to be physicallydisjointed, it would be recognized by those skilled in the art ofcomputer programming that intermediary data queues 240 ₁ through 240_(n) may represent logical devices on one or more physical devices.

In response to a “submit” message from a user at a browser 110, thedispatcher 136 directs the associated process to transfer to the legacyprocessor and associated software 142, which then stores the results indatabase 144.

FIG. 3 illustrates an organizational structure 300 of dispatcher 136 inresponding to input data or information items received from the browsers110 ₁ through 110 _(n) for each product. In this organization structure,inputs are received by main menu 310, which by way of example thendetermines whether the input data requires that inquiry processing 320,new account processing 330 or modify existing account processing 370 beperformed.

When the main menu 310 determines inquiry processing 320 is to beperformed, the content of the inquiry command is then reviewed todetermine whether the inquiry requires information as by way of exampleand not limitation with regard to a policy 322, a claim 324, billing 326or reinsurance 328. Inquiry processing is more fully disclosed withregard to FIG. 10.

When the main menu block 310 determines new account processing 330 is tobe performed, a determination is made at block 332 whether all theaccount information has been cleared. When all the account informationis cleared, the account information is established at block 334.Establishment of account information is more fully disclosed with regardto FIG. 11.

After the account information is established, one of a plurality ofprocesses, i.e., account summary, 336, underwriting worksheet 340,rating 344, create quote 348, create binder 352, book and bill 356, andissue policy 360, associated with the input information item isexecuted. Account summary processing 336 includes the steps of adding orchanging general detail information such as new or renewal, primary orexcess, effective date, contact information and product selection.Underwriting worksheet 340 includes the steps of adding additionalinformation based on the product selected. The information is productspecific. Rating process 344 includes the steps of defining debits orcredits and calculating premium options using either a legacy ratingengine or a spreadsheet means. Create quote process 348 includes thesteps of creating a letter, conventionally referred to as a quoteletter, using a word processing program with an option to select variouspremiums calculated from rating process 344. The create binder process352 includes the steps of creating a letter, conventionally referred toas a binder letter, using a word processing program with an option toselect a premium option calculated from rating process 344. Book andbill process 356 includes the steps of selecting industry code, ISOclass as well as payment plan and billing method before finalizing orbooking the account. Issue policy process 360 includes the steps ofprinting and issuing an insurance policy. Optionally, a printer andoutput type, such as draft or production, may be selected.

In one aspect of the invention, each of the processes is executed insequence, wherein a subsequent process is not allowed to be performeduntil a preceding process has completed it operation. Thus, after theaccount summary process 336 is executed, a determination is made atblock 338 whether an update of the account summary has occurred. If theanswer is negative, then processing is returned to the account summaryprocess for further processing. However, if the answer is in theaffirmative, then tab 337 enables processing to continue to underwritingworksheet 340 processing. Similarly, rating 344 processing is executeduntil a determination at block 346 indicates that the preceding process,in this case rating 344, has been executed or performed. FIG. 3illustrates that each of the processes 336, 340, 344, 348, 352, 356 and360 have corresponding tests 338, 342, 346, 348, 354, 358 and 362. Ineach instance a corresponding tab 337, 339, 341, 343, 345 and 347 enablethe subsequent process to operate if the determination is in theaffirmative.

The ability to determine the execution of preceding processes isadvantageous as it allows the user to update, amend or modify input dataor prior process results without requiring the sequential execution ofpreceding processes. In this manner, an underwriting process may bepartitioned into one or more sessions that enables the user to “tailor”,customize or modify a desired package to meet the insured party's needs.

Modify existing account process 370 operates on existing accounts andoperates similar to new account process 330 in executing one or more ofthe illustrated processes. However, as the nomenclature suggests,modification, amendment and changes to existing policies are achieved.

Also illustrated is a forms data base 353, which includes a plurality ofstandardized forms used in the insurance underwriting process. The useof standardized forms is advantageous as it provides the user known,pre-approved forms and letters. Furthermore, the contents of the formscan be dynamically filled by information provided by each of theprocesses included in the underwriting process. Forms database 353 isaccessible from create quote process 348, create binder process 352,book and bill process 356 and issue policy process 360. These processesmay further enable the forms to be contained in a centralized processfor storage and archiving.

In one aspect of the invention FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary statediagram of the process shown in FIG. 3. In this exemplary processdiagram, each of the processes 336 through 360 is represented as a statethat when successfully completed allows processing to continue at a nextstate. For example, when rating state 344 is completed, processingcontinues at process create quote 348. Otherwise, processing remains inthe rating state 344. In one aspect of the invention, a state variableor variables may include indications about which states have beenexecuted. Hence, a process state may not be executed until the precedingstates have been indicated to have been executed. In another aspect,when a state is entered, all indication of subsequent state processesare set to a “not executed” state.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of another aspect of the system shownin FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In this aspect of the invention, browser 110software 113 controls a communication with the e-file system 150 andprocessor 112 directly or via network 115 (not shown). Web server 120reviews the message received from browser software 113 and determines atdecision block 500 whether the message length is greater than apredetermined length. In one aspect of the invention, the predeterminedlimit is set to 32 kilobytes. If the determination is that the messagelength is not greater than a predetermined limit, then the input data isprovided to an input queue 502. The information may then be provided tothe dispatcher 136 for subsequent process as described in FIG. 1 andFIG. 2.

However, if the message is greater than the predetermined limit, thenthe information is parsed into a header and data fields. In this case,the header information is provided to first input queue 502 and the datainformation is provided to an input queue 503. In this case, the headeris provided to the dispatcher 136 and the data information is providedto one of the products process 210 or the legacy system 140 having thelegacy process 142 and an associated database 144. In one aspect theinformation in the data field is parsed into multiple records of apredetermined size. In one embodiment, the record size is 16 kilobytes.Upon process completion the results are provided to the user assigneddata queue 506 and subsequently to the web server 120.

A table lookup data base 510 may include information that may be used ina browser 110 _(n) through 110 _(n) “drop-down” menus associated with aspecific field in a specific process interface. For example, the addressfield table lookup data base 510 may include the names of the fiftystates of the United States which may be displayed in a “drop-down”menu. A user may then select one of the predefined entries from the“drop-down” menu. Table lookup data base 510 may also include, forexample, product codes or underwriter codes by way of example.

FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of another aspect of the system shownin FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In this aspect of the system, browser software 113is shown comprising processes account summary 336′, underwritingworksheet 340′, rating 344′ create quote 348′, create binder 352′, bookand bill 356′, and issue 360′, which correspond to dispatcher 136processes 336 through 360, respectively. Each process 336′-360′ isoperable to assess e-file data base 150 and Popup page 610. Popup page610 is operable to display information associated with table lookup database 510. In this aspect of the invention, the centralized table lookupdata base 510 allows additions to the information in the table lookupdata without altering any browser 110 ₁ through 110 _(n).

The network 115 transmits and receives data from the browser processes336′ through 360′ to the input data queues 132 and the input data queue503 which operation in conjunction with dispatcher 136 previously hasbeen described. The information stored in data queue 132 is thenprovided to the dispatcher 136, which parses the information todetermine which specific process 210 such as shown in FIG. 1 processes210A₁ through 210A_(n) is associated with the information. Input dataqueue 503 also communicates with the legacy process 140 to updateinformation in the data base 144.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary format 700 for exchanging information inaccordance with the principles of the present invention. In thisexemplary format, thirty (30) data bytes are allocated for datatransfer. In one aspect, data bytes are composed of 8 data bits.However, it would be recognized that the number of data bytes or thesize of the data bytes may be altered without altering the scope of theinvention and is thus considered to be within the scope of theinvention.

In this case, eight (8) bytes 710 are allocated for the identificationof a desired process or operation, seven (7) bytes 715 are allocated asa user identification, that may also be used as an identifier on therespective data queues. Five (5) bytes 720 are allocated for a stateidentification, seven (7) bytes 725 are allocated for a state functionidentification, nine (9) bytes 730 are held as reserved, ten (10) bytes735 are allocated for a state switch indication, five (5) bytes 740 areallocated to provide an indication to allow a next state, and two (2)bytes 745 are allocated to indicate the status of a request.

Process identification bytes 710 may be associated with the type ofenvironment dispatcher 136 is operating within. For example, dispatcher136 may operate in a production environment, a test environment or ashut down environment. As one skilled in the art would recognize, in atest environment dispatcher 136 would include executable features thatmay not be included in a production environment.

User identification bytes 715 may be statically or dynamically assignedto a user to uniquely identify users. In one aspect, the useridentification 715 may be 105 ₁ through 105 _(n) the user name orinitials. The User identification may also include a password thatlimits access to authorized users. State identifier 720 provides anidentification of a current state. With reference to FIG. 3, the stateidentifier 720 may be associated with and identified as account summary,underwriting worksheet, rate, create quote, create binder and issue.Function identifier code 725 provides an identification regarding a nextoperation to be executed. In one aspect, function identifier code 725may represent a state such as “update and remain at current state” or“update and advance to next state.” In the former case, data bases maybe updated, but the processing remains at a current state, while in thelatter case, data bases may be updated and processing is allowed toproceed to the next state. State switch indication 735 providesdirection with regard to a switch in the state process flow ofdispatcher 136. Switch indication 735 may be used by browser 110 toenable a user to enter information suitable for a next state. Next stateindicator 740 may be used by any browser 110 ₁ through 110 _(n) toenable a user to progress or proceed to a next state. Request state 745may be used by any browser 110 ₁ through 110 _(n) to indicate when arequested update has been completed successfully.

A method of the present invention underwrites, rates, quotes, binds,books and bills and issues insurance policies comprising the steps ofmaintaining the browser 110 to communicate information to the dispatchersystem 130, and parsing information in the dispatcher 136 to communicatewith one or more insurance generating processes 210. FIG. 8 illustratesa state diagram depicting an exemplary interaction 800 between thebrowser 110 ₁ through 110 _(n) and the dispatcher 136 over the network115 in accordance with the principles of the invention. In thisillustration, dispatcher states 336 through 360 are in communicationwith a main menu state 310, as discussed with regard to FIG. 3 and FIG.4. Browsers 110 ₁ through 110 _(n) include states 336′ through 360′corresponding to states 336 through 360 in the dispatcher 136. Processstates 336′ through 360′ allow a user to enter information items, usinga Graphic User Interface (GUI) that may be processed by dispatcher 136.In this illustrated embodiment, process states 336′ through 356′ areoperable to remain in a current state, proceed to a subsequent state orto a preceding state. In the illustrated embodiment, a user thus mayrestart all or part of the underwriting process to customize the packageto meet an insured party's needs.

Using a GUI corresponding to a specific state, a user may manually enterthe state, for example 336′, which is then registered as a currentstate. The current state may then be transferred to the dispatcher 136through the transfer format 700 shown in FIG. 7 and the correspondingprocess may then be executed. Upon completion of the current stateprocessing, an indication of successful update is returned to theassociated browser 110 ₁ through 110 _(n) which allows a user to enternext subsequent state, in this case state 340′, and enter informationitems using a GUI associated with this new current state. Theinformation items obtained in this new current state 340′ may then betransferred to the dispatcher 136 through transfer format 700 shown inFIG. 7 and the corresponding process may then be executed. Uponcompletion of the current state processing, an indication of successfulcompletion or update is returned to the associated browser 110 ₁ through110 _(n) which allows a user to enter next subsequent state. Thisprocedure may be repeated until each of the process states has beensuccessfully completed.

However, the user may manually return to a preceding state to update theinformation contained therein and execute the associated processing inthe dispatcher 136. This ability to repeat certain preceding processesis advantageous as it allows for alternative formulations of theunderwriting process without requiring input of all prior data.

Communication with legacy processor and associated software 142 may beperformed using known software tools. For example, in one aspect, use ofIBM AS/400 software Toolkit provides necessary plug-ins and protocols tocommunicate with legacy database 144 and need not be discussed in detailherein. IBM is a registered Trademark of the International BusinessMachine Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart 900 of an exemplary processingassociated with the operation and communication with e-file database150. As illustrated, this exemplary process may be accessed by processsteps 336, 340, 344, 352, 356 and 360 shown in FIG. 3, represented byblock 910. At block 920 access to an available suite of programs forword processor or spreadsheet operation is enabled. In one aspect,access to word processing software MS-WORD 925 and spreadsheet softwareMS-EXCEL 930 is available. MS-WORD and MS-EXCEL are registeredtrademarks of the Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash. Although thepresent invention is disclosed with regard to MS-WORD and MS-EXCEL, itwould be recognized by those skilled in the art that other wordprocessing or spreadsheet programs may also be used and, thus, areconsidered to be within the scope of the invention.

Templates, created or available, within the word processing program maythen be accessed and information items from an associated account maythen be stored in predetermined fields within a selected template. Forexample, quote letters, binding letters, or issue letters may bepreformed using the available features of the word processing programand desired information associated with each account may be extractedfrom the collected data and stored in predetermined fields within theselected template.

At block 926 a determination is made whether to exit the selected wordprocessing program. When exiting the program, the program is closed atblock 927 and processing proceeds to block 940 to update an e-file 150program. The updated information is then stored in the e-file data base150 (FIG. 1).

Similarly, when the spreadsheet program, in this case MS-EXCEL, isselected at block 930, templates available at block 930 are accessed andinformation from an associated account is stored in predetermined fieldswithin a selected template. At block 931, a determination is madewhether to exit the selected program and the program closed at block932. A determination is then made at block 935 whether the informationis to be returned to a browser 110 ₁ through 110 _(n) (FIG. 1). If theanswer is in the affirmative, the program is closed at block 936 and theinformation is returned via block 910.

However, if the answer is in the negative, then the program is closed atblock 936 and processing proceeds to block 940 to update the e-file 150program. The updated information is stored in e-file data base 150 (FIG.1).

In another aspect, the e-file data base 152 may be searched, at block950, for designated or selected account information. In this case,information regarding account information, such as insured name, is madeavailable at block 955. At block 960, the e-file database 152 isaccessed and searched for the designated or selected account. At block965, the information is returned to the search requester, i.e., theassociated browser 110 ₁ through 110 _(n).

In another aspect, documents related to a particular account, e.g., thecurrently opened account associated with the specific user, may beaccessed at block 970. In this case, a search for documents associatedwith a currently opened account is initiated at block 975. At block 980a search program is executed that accesses e-file database 152. Theresults of the search may then be provided to search requester at block965.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary process 1000 associated with parsing ofan inquiry command chosen from a main menu 1005 in accordance with theprinciples of the invention. In this illustrated process, informationassociated with a desired account, e.g., user name or policy number, isprovided at block 1010. At block 1020, a search program is executed toextract account information associated with the provided input data. Atblock 1030, a determination is made whether more than one entry hasmatched the provided input information. If the answer is in theaffirmative then the matching entries are provided to a user at block1040. At block 1050, a user may select an account from the matchingentries. The selected account is then provided to the policy detailmodule 1060, the claims detail module 1065, reinsurance detail module1070 or billing module 1075. Policy detail module 1060 may includeinformation regarding the policy limits or terms associated with theselected account. Claims detail module 1065 may include informationregarding claims written or processed against the selected account.Reinsurance module 1070 may include information regarding whetherreinsurance is associated with the selected account. Billing module 1075may include information regarding invoices and payments associated withthe selected account.

However, if only one entry is found to match the provided inputinformation, then that entry is provided to the policy detail module1060, the claims detail module 1065, reinsurance detail module 1070 orbilling module 1075.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary process 1100 for establishing accountinformation. In the illustrated process, a user 105 such as earlierdescribed in connection with FIG. 1 is presented with a main menu 1105and enters information, such as a name of an insured party or otheridentifying characteristic, at block 1110. For example, a user may enterone or more characters that represent parts or all of a name oridentifying characteristic. At block 1120 a search of the legacy database 144 (FIG. 1) is executed to determine entries, i.e., user accounts,that substantially match the user entered information. At block 1130 alist of matching entries that substantially match the user enteredinformation is provided to the user. At block 1140, a determination ismade whether the user entered information matches an entry on the listof matching entries or whether a new account must be created. If amatching entry is found, then the information in the entry or account ismade available to one or more of the processes shown in FIG. 3, asrepresented by block 1160.

However, if a matching entry is not found, a new account may be createdat block 1150, wherein additional information such as address, contactinformation, new account or account renewal, producer, product, orunderwriter may be entered. In addition, notes or comments may be addedto the account information. The information in the new entry or accountis then made available to one or more of the processes shown in FIG. 3,as represented by block 1160.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary GUI 1200 for processing accountinformation in accordance with the principles of the invention. In thisillustrated interface, a user may select a process such as accountsummary 1210, underwriting worksheet 1215, rating summary 1220, createquote 1225, create binder 1230, book and bill 1235 or issue policy 1240.As previously described, processes are selected in a sequential orderbut previously executed processes may be re-selected to updateinformation within the selected process.

FIG. 12 depicts the GUI associated with account summary process 1210,i.e. process 336. In this interface, information regarding the insuredparty, such as name, address and city/state may be entered at blocks1252, 1253, 1254 respectively. Also information contact or beneficiaryinformation may be provided at block 1255.

At block 1262, information regarding a producer or agent may be enteredand at block 1272 information regarding the type of insurance, e.g.,D&O, malpractice, etc., may be entered. At blocks 1282, commentsregarding the policy or the account may be entered and at block 1284 theunderwriter may be identified. At block 1286 a date of a next action andtype of action may be entered or determined. For example, the date ofthe next premium payment may be determined based on the payment terms.

At block 1287, an “update” operation allows the user to update theinformation entered and at block 1288, a “submit” operation allows theuser to memorialize the entered information. The “submit” procedurefurther indicates that a step has been completed, thus enabling entryinto a next process. A “reset” operation, at block 1290, clears theinformation on the currently displayed GUI.

Furthermore, each of the processes is accessible on each of theavailable process GUIs by maintaining indications 1210 through 1240associated with the processes 336 through 360, respectively. In thismanner, a user may switch between process indications to review orchange data in other processes.

In an embodiment, a computer system for underwriting, rating, quoting,binding, and booking an insurance policy includes one or more browsersoperative to communicate associated information to a dispatcher thatparses the information to select an insurance process and an outputdevice to produce an insurance product. The dispatcher may communicatewith a legacy system and produce data to an output data queue to retainthe output received from a legacy system. One or more browsers maycommunicate information to the dispatcher, which parses the informationto determine the specific insurance process associated with theinformation. One or more data queues may communicate one or more resultsof a specific process to the browser. Dispatcher inputs may be receivedfrom a main menu, which determines whether the input data requiresprocessing selected from a group including: an inquiry processing, a newaccount processing or a modify existing account processing. One or morebrowsers may communicate with an e-file. A server analyzes a messagefrom one or more browsers and determines whether the message length isgreater than a predetermined length.

In an embodiment, the computer system may further include a server toreview a message received from the browser and a means to determinewhether the message length is greater than a predetermined limit; and ifthe message is less than the limit then input data is provided to afirst input queue and used as input to a means for producing theinsurance product. In an embodiment, if the message is greater than thepredetermined limit, then the message is parsed into a headerinformation and one or more data fields information and the headerinformation is provided to first input queue and the data fieldsinformation is provided to a second input queue and the dispatcher meansand the data fields information is provided to a legacy processor andassociated software system. The information in the data field may beparsed into multiple records of a predetermined size. The message sizemay be equal to or greater than 16 kilobytes. The subsequent processingcompletion results may be provided to a user assigned data queue andsubsequently to the server.

In an embodiment, the computer system includes a table lookup data queuefor underwriting, rating, quoting, binding, booking and billing andissuing insurance policies including : a drop-down menu in a browserassociated with a field selected from a group including: theidentification of a desired process or operation, data bytes for useridentification, data bytes for a state identification, data bytes forstate function identification, data bytes for a state switch indication,data bytes for providing an indication to allow a next state, data bytesfor indicating the status of a request.

In an embodiment, a computer readable medium for underwriting, rating,quoting, binding, booking and billing and issuing insurance policies hasstored thereon one or more data structure to transfer control selectedfrom a group comprising: a plurality of data for the identification of adesired process or operation, data for user identification, data for astate identification, data for state function identification, data for astate switch indication, data for providing an indication to allow anext state, data for indicating the status of a request.

In an embodiment, a computer-based insurance processing system includesa browser having executable browser software to process accountsummaries, underwriting worksheets, ratings, quotes, binders, and billsand issue insurance policies, which correspond to associated dispatchermeans for producing an insurance product and an output device to printinsurance products. In the computer-based insurance processing system,each process may be operable to access one or more e-file databases andto display one or more pop up pages on the browser. The one or more popup pages may be operable to display information on the browserassociated with a table lookup data queue for underwriting, rating,quoting, binding, booking and billing and issuing insurance policies.The table lookup data queue may allow additions to the information inthe table lookup data without altering the browser.

The computer-based insurance processing system may further include oneor more state switches and associated state indicators to provideprocess direction to a state flow process of a dispatcher in associationwith a browser and a means for producing an insurance product and anoutput device to print the insurance product. The switch indication maybe used by the browser to enable a user to enter information through thebrowser suitable for a next state, wherein the next state produces anassociated indication. The next state indicator may be used by thebrowser to enable a user through the browser to proceed to a subsequentstate. The browser may use a request state to indicate when a requestedupdate has been completed. The computer-based insurance processingsystem may further include: a main menu state. The browser state maycorrespond to the dispatcher state. The browser state may allow a userto enter information using a Graphic User Interface (GUI) to beprocessed by the dispatcher. The browser state may be operable to remainin a current state, to proceed to a subsequent state or to a precedingstate. The GUI corresponding to a specific state may allow a user tomanually enter the state, which is then registered as a current state.The current state may be then transferred to the dispatcher through atransfer control format initiating execution of a corresponding process.Upon a completion of the current state processing, an indication of asuccessful update may be returned to the associated browser, whichallows a user to enter subsequent state. In an embodiment, a user mayenter information using a GUI associated with this new current state.

In an embodiment, a computer method to underwrite, rate, quote, bind,book and bill and issue insurance policies includes the steps ofmaintaining a browser to communicate information to a dispatcher, andparsing information in the dispatcher to communicate with one or moreinsurance generating processes and printing one or more insuranceproducts resulting from the processes. The method may include theadditional step wherein the dispatcher communicates with a legacy systemand produces output to a data queue. The method may include theadditional step of maintaining one or more browsers to communicateinformation to a dispatcher, which parses the information to determinethe specific insurance process associated with the information. Themethod may include the additional step of transmitting from one or moredata queues the results of a specific process associated with theinformation to the appropriate browser. The method may include theadditional step of inputting information by the dispatcher and receivingsaid input by a main menu which determines whether the input datarequires processing from a group including: an inquiry processing, a newaccount processing or a modify existing account processing. The methodmay include the additional step of maintaining one or more browsers tocommunicate with an e-file system.

The method may include the additional step of reviewing the messagereceived from one or more browsers to determine whether the messagelength is greater than a predetermined length. The method may includethe additional step of: reviewing a message received from the browserand determining whether the message length is greater than apredetermined limit, and if the message is less than the limit theninputting data to the dispatcher for subsequent selection of aninsurance process and printing an insurance product based upon theinsurance process. The method may include the additional step wherein ifthe message is greater than the predetermined limit, then the message isparsed into a header information and one or more data fields informationand the header information is provided to first input queue and the datainformation is provided to a second input queue and the dispatcher meansand the data information is provided to a legacy processor andassociated software system. The method may include the additional stepwherein the information in the data field is parsed into multiplerecords of a predetermined size. The method may include the additionalstep of maintaining the message size to 16 kilobytes.

While there has been shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novelfeatures of the present invention as applied to preferred embodimentsthereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutionsand changes in the apparatus described, in the form and details of thedevices disclosed, and in their operation, may be made by those skilledin the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.It is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements thatperform substantially the same function in substantially the same way toachieve the same results are within the scope of the invention.Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another arealso fully intended and contemplated. It will be understood that variousomissions and substitutions and changes in the routines and algorithmsdescribed, in the form and details of the methodologies disclosed, andin their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit of the present invention. It is expresslyintended that all combinations of those elements that performsubstantially the same function in substantially the same way to achievethe same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions ofelements from one described embodiment to another are also contemplatedand should be considered embodied in the present invention.

1. A computer system for processing data related to insurance,comprising: an intermediary computer system in communication with aninsurance computer system and a network, the intermediary computersystem comprising a processor and a memory device, and configured togenerate instructions to the insurance computer system to perform one ofa plurality of insurance processes wherein the insurance processescomprise a rating process and a create quote process; the intermediarycomputer system being further configured to: communicate via the networkwith a plurality of user devices having browsers maintained in aplurality of user-selected browser states, each of the browser stateshaving an associated interface element corresponding to one of theinsurance processes; maintain a plurality of process statescorresponding to the browser states; receive data from the browsers; andpermit the user-selected browser state only subject to permission forthe corresponding insurance process to be performed.
 2. The computersystem of claim 1, wherein the insurance processes have a sequence, theintermediary computer system is further configured to permit executionof one of the insurance processes only upon completion of a prior one ofthe plurality of insurance processes in the sequence, the rating processbeing prior to the create quote process.
 3. The computer system of claim2, wherein the insurance processes further comprise an underwritingworksheet process prior to the rating process and a create binderprocess subsequent to the create quote process.
 4. The computer systemof claim 1, wherein the intermediary computer system is furtherconfigured to, responsive to receipt of input data from one of theplurality of user devices, determine one of inquiry processing, newaccount processing and modify existing account processing to beperformed.
 5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the intermediarycomputer system is further configured to, responsive to determining thatinquiry processing is to be performed, access, for a selected account,policy detail data including policy limits or terms for the selectedaccount, claims data relating to claims processed against the selectedaccount, reinsurance data for the selected account; and billing dataincluding invoice and payment data for the selected account.
 6. Thecomputer system of claim 1, wherein the intermediary computer system isfurther is further configured to communicate employing a messagecomprising a user identification portion, a state identification portionidentifying a state associated with one of the insurance processes, astate function identification portion, a state switch indication portionand an allow next state indication portion.
 7. The computer system ofclaim 1, wherein the intermediary computer system is configured to causethe browsers to generate a graphical user interface configured todisplay one of the associated interface elements associated with one ofthe insurance processes and simultaneously display an indicationassociated with each of the other insurance processes, wherein userselection of the indication causes data indicative of user selection ofthe insurance process associated with the indication to be provided tothe intermediary computer system.
 8. The computer system of claim 7,wherein the intermediary computer system is further configured to permitexecution of one of the insurance processes only upon completion of aprior one of the plurality of insurance processes in a sequence, therating process being prior to the create quote process in the sequence,and the insurance processes further comprise an account summary process,an underwriting worksheet process subsequent to the account summaryprocess in the sequence and prior to the rating process in the sequence,a create binder process subsequent to the create quote process in thesequence, a book and bill process subsequent to the create binderprocess in the sequence, and an issue policy process subsequent to thebook and bill process in the sequence.
 9. The computer system of claim8, wherein the interface element associated with the account summaryprocess prompts the user for insured name and contact data, agent dataand product data.
 10. A computer-implemented method for processing datarelated to insurance, comprising: generating instructions by anintermediary computer system to an insurance computer system to performone of a plurality of insurance processes wherein the processes comprisea rating process and a create quote process; communicating by theintermediary computer system via a network with a plurality of userdevices having browsers maintained in a plurality of user-selectedbrowser states, each of the browser states having an associatedinterface element corresponding to one of the insurance processes;maintaining by the intermediary computer system a plurality of processstates corresponding to the browser states; receiving by theintermediary computer system data from the browsers via the network; andpermitting by the intermediary computer system the user-selected browserstate only subject to permission for the corresponding insurance processto be performed.
 11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10,further comprising permitting execution of one of the insuranceprocesses only upon completion of a prior one of the plurality ofinsurance processes, the rating process being prior to the create quoteprocess.
 12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, furthercomprising causing one of the browsers to generate a graphical userinterface configured to display one of the associated interface elementsassociated with one of the insurance processes and simultaneouslydisplay an indication associated with each of the other insuranceprocesses, and to receive data indicative of user selection of one ofthe insurance processes responsive to display of the indications. 13.The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the rating processcomprises defining debits or credits and calculating premium options.14. The computer-implemented method of claim 13, wherein the createquote process comprises generating a quote letter by accessing atemplate quote letter from a database stored on a data storage device incommunication with the intermediary computer system, invoking a wordprocessing program including program instructions stored on acomputer-readable medium to present the template quote letter on a userdevice, and providing a user option to select one or more premiumoptions calculated in the rating process.
 15. The computer-implementedmethod of claim 10, further comprising receiving data from the one ormore browsers and providing the received data to the insurance computersystem for storage in a database in a data storage device associatedwith the insurance computer system.
 16. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium, having computer-readable instructions storedthereon, which instructions, when executed by a processor, cause theprocessor to: generate instructions to an insurance computer system toperform one of a plurality of insurance processes wherein the processescomprise a rating process and a create quote process; communicate via anetwork with a plurality of user devices having browsers maintained in aplurality of user-selected browser states, each of the browser stateshaving an associated interface element corresponding to one of theinsurance processes; maintain a plurality of process statescorresponding to the browser states; receive data from the browsers viathe network; and permit the user-selected browser state only subject topermission for the corresponding insurance process to be performed. 17.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein theinstructions further cause the processor to permit execution of one ofthe insurance processes only upon completion of a prior one of theplurality of insurance processes, the rating process being prior to thecreate quote process.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 17, wherein the insurance processes further comprise anunderwriting worksheet process prior to the rating process and a createbinder process subsequent to the create quote process.
 19. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein theinstructions further cause the processor to cause the browsers togenerate a graphical user interface configured to display one of theinterface elements associated with one of the insurance processes andsimultaneously display an indication associated with at least one of theother insurance processes, the graphical user interface being configuredto cause data indicative of user selection of the insurance processassociated with the indication to be furnished to the processorresponsive to user selection of the indication.
 20. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 16, wherein the instructions furthercause the processor to execute a search of data in a database associatedwith the insurance computer system.